JERUSALEM – Thousands of participants from around the world are expected to participate in Orthodox Union’s (OU) virtual Torah Yerushalayim that brings a blue-ribbon list of rabbinic scholars, educators and Jewish communal leaders for three days of learning online from September 22 through September 24.
While precautions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the annual event online this year, it has also created new opportunities for the program. The virtual event now enables Jews from around the world to participate, whereas last year, it was only participants who could attend sessions in Israel.
Early registrants hail from Israel, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.
“While the pandemic has unfortunately limited the size of in-person events, it’s also served as a catalyst to evolve our programming and allow us to transcend regional boarders. The opportunity we have to showcase so much Torah knowledge to so many people around the world is very exciting,” said Orthodox Union President Moishe Bane.
Torah Yerushalayim will feature keynote addresses from Rabbi Hershel Schachter, OU Executive Vice President Rabbi Moshe Hauer, OU Executive Vice President Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph, Rav Yosef Zvi Rimon, Charlie Harary and Jewish music sensation Rabbi Shlomo Katz.
The list of scholars teaching sessions throughout the event includes: Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, Rabbi Menachem Genack, Rabbi Moshe Elefant, Rav Meir Goldwicht, Rabbi Shai Finkelstein, Rabbi Shmuel Goldin, Rabbi Baruch Taub, Rabbi Dr. Alan Kimche, Rabbi Moshe Taragin, Rebbetzin Dr. Adina Shmidman, Rabbanit Racheli Fraenkel, Sivan Rahav Meir, Rebbetzin Dina Schoonmaker, Rebbetzin Shira Smiles, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller, among many others.
“While the pandemic has limited our ability to deliver in-person learning, it has provoked our creativity in a way that actually enables us to reach more people. We’re thrilled that Jews from around the world will be able to join together to devote time for introspection and growth during the Aseret Yemei Teshuva between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur,” said Orthodox Union Executive Vice President Rabbi Moshe Hauer.
“With the tremendous success of last year’s Torah Yerushalayim in spiritually preparing thousands of Jews in Israel for Yom Kippur, we believe this year’s event will reach even more people and further the impact and inspiration in a safe manner for Jews from across Israel and the entire world,” added OU Israel Executive Director Rabbi Avi Berman.
The program is offered to the community free of charge, with the event being dedicated in loving memory of David & Norma Fund Z”L by their children and with the assistance of the Jerusalem Municipality. For more information or to register, please visit: https://tickchak.co.il/OU
Founded in 1898, the Orthodox Union, (OU), serves as the voice of American Orthodox Jewry, with over 400 congregations in its synagogue network. As the umbrella organization for American Orthodox Jewry, the OU is at the forefront of advocacy work on both state and federal levels, outreach to Jewish teens and young professionals through NCSY, Israel Free Spirit Birthright, Yachad and OU Press, among many other divisions and programs.